Cloudland is coming off a solid 9-2 season. However, the ‘Landers saw their season end with two straight losses that has left a bad taste in their mouth. As we get closer to the opening weekend, we take a game-by-game glance of the schedule.
Friday, August 22 – at Avery County (N.C.)
Cloudland opens the season as they travel just across the stateline to face neighboring rival Avery County in Newland. The Vikings return standout quarterback Tre Jackson from a 5-8 squad. Avery qualified for the NCHSA Playoffs and recorded a first round victory before falling in the second round. In last season’s meeting, Cloudland took a nearly even affair by a score of 12-6.
Friday, August 29 – Happy Valley
Cloudland opens the home schedule as they welcome Happy Valley to Orr Field. Last season, the Warriors are coming off a 4-6 2013 campaign, and return standout running back Phillip Garland. In last year’s meeting, Cloudland forced a late fumble in the final minute to edge Happy Valley in what would become the Carter County Sports Game of the Year.
Friday, September 5- Cosby
The ‘Landers will open district play as they welcome Cosby to Roan Mountain. Cosby went 1-9 (they picked up a victory over Hancock County) last year. Cloudland struggled early before rolling to a 27-10 victory over the Eagles in Cosby last season.
Friday, September 12 – Johnson County
The home games keep coming for Cloudland as Johnson County makes the trip to Roan Mountain. Johnson County advanced to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs after a 5-7 season. However, there is a new leader at the helm of the Longhorn program as Don Kerley takes over. Cloudland steamrolled Johnson County 40-6 last year.
Friday, September 19- Unaka
The final game of a four-game homestand will see Unaka make the quick trip to Orr Field for a conference clash. Unaka made the playoffs last season after a 4-7 campaign after starting the season 1-6. The first half of last year’s meeting saw the Rangers match Cloudland punch-for-punch, but the ‘Landers used a strong second half to take a 45-21 victory.
Friday, September 26 – at Tri-Cities Christian
The ‘Landers return to the road as they travel to Tri-Cities Christian for a nonconference matchup. Cloudland blanked the Golden Eagles 40-0 last season to improve to 6-0.
Friday, October 10 – North Greene
Cloudland will make a trek to Greene County to face North Greene in conference play. The Huskies went 2-8 last season. Last season, Cloudland jumped out early and never looked back as they ran to a 40-0 victory over the Huskies at Orr Field.
Friday, October 18 – South Greene
The ‘Landers will welcome South Greene to Orr Field for the first time since the Rebels rejoined the Mountain East Conference. South Greene went 4-6 last season, and narrowly missed the 2A playoffs in their first season back in 1A/2A. In the meeting in Greene County last season, Cloudland escaped Rebel Hill with a 25-14 victory to continue their winning ways. This season’s meeting will be the final home game of the year for the Highlanders.
Friday, October 25 – at Hancock County
Cloudland will travel to Sneedville in Week 9 to play conference foe Hancock County. The Indians went 0-10 last season. In frigid conditions, the ‘Landers rolled to a 52-12 victory at Orr Field last season over the Indians.
Friday, October 31 – at Hampton
The ‘Landers will wrap up the regular season with the short trip to Hampton. The Bulldogs went 7-4 last season after starting 0-2, and saw their season end in the second round of the TSSAA Playoffs in two overtimes. Hampton captured the Mountain East Conference crown with a 21-12 victory over the ‘Landers in the final week last year.
